Episodes
Sept. 12, 2025
S4E34: Joshua Trees and Family Trees
Chris Clarke reflects on his first encounter with the North American deserts, sparked by a 1966 road trip with his father, James Clarke, who recently celebrated his 91st birthday. This episode revisits a previously shared piece by Chris exploring family ties, personal history, and the profound conn…
Sept. 5, 2025
S4E33: Monsoon Madness: When the Desert Comes Alive
Monsoonal rainstorms reshape the desert landscape, and in this episode, Chris explores their recent impact on 29 Palms. Despite the chaos, the storms bring life, vibrancy, and transformation to the arid region. Clarke shares survival tips during flash floods and reflects on the power of nature, fro…
Aug. 22, 2025
S4E32: Joshua Trees are Still Caught in the Climate Crossfire
Chris Clarke and Brendan Cummings discuss the recent approval of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan by California's Fish and Game Commission. Brendan outlines the journey from the 2019 petition for protection to the 2023 Conservation Act, highlighting its aim to combat climate threats and ma…
Aug. 15, 2025
S4E31: 5 Years On: Cima Dome After the Flames
Chris Clarke reflects on the fifth anniversary of the Dome Fire, which devastated over 44,000 acres of the Joshua Tree forest in the Mojave National Preserve. The episode explores themes of loss, recovery, and environmental impact, as Clarke recounts his personal connection to the area and its tran…
Aug. 8, 2025
S4E30: Episode 100 | Former Wildland Firefighter Ruth Nolan's Literary Mission
A distinguished voice in desert poetry and a former wildland firefighter, Ruth Nolan shares her insights into the ecological challenges and intrinsic beauty of California's deserts through her evocative poetry.
Aug. 8, 2025
S4E29: Episode 100 | Two Deserts, One Story with Rubén Martinéz
Rubén Martinéz, an instructor, writer, and performer from Loyola Marymount University, shares a captivating reading exploring the duality of deserts—both physical and metaphorical. This reflection ties into broader themes of human migration, spiritual discovery, and personal healing. With insights …
Aug. 8, 2025
S4E28: Episode 100 | Three Sonorans and Tucson's Stand Against High-Tech Ecological Threats
Discover how grassroots activism and environmental awareness halted a resource-intensive project threatening water and energy supplies in the Arizona desert. Learn about the vital role of unified community voices and progressive city leaders in this victory.
Aug. 8, 2025
S4E27: Episode 100 | Poetry and Plants with Cameron Mayer
This chapter of our 100th episode showcases poetry and prose, celebrating the Mojave and Amargosa regions' beauty and resilience. Cameron Mayer shares poetry on plants like the Honey Mesquite and Mojave Aster, exploring themes of nature's resilience and connection.
Aug. 8, 2025
S4E26: Episode 100 | Morgan Sjogren's Tales of Beauty, Rage, and Uranium
Morgan Sjogren shares an evocative reading from her recent book Path of Light : A Walk Through Colliding Legacies of Glen Canyon discussing uranium mining's impact on red rock country and the broader implications for desert landscapes.
Aug. 8, 2025
S4E25: Episode 100 | Desert Protection Chronicles: The Amargosa Victory
This chapter of our 100th episode highlights the inspiring victory against the proposed lithium mining project near Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
Aug. 1, 2025
S4E24: Desert Communities Need Public Broadcasting Now
We discuss crucial topics affecting public media, including funding cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and their impact on stations serving rural and tribal communities.
July 18, 2025
S4E23: Desert Bucket List: 9 Destinations You Must See
Chris Clarke reflects on the recent loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge, urging listeners to prioritize visiting their own wish lists of desert sites before they vanish.
July 11, 2025
S4E22: Fighting GreenLink: The True Impact of Transmission Lines in the Desert
Join host Chris Clarke and guest Kevin Emmerich, Co-Founder of Basin and Range Watch, as they discuss the environmental implications of the Greenlink West transmission line projects in Nevada.
July 4, 2025
S4E21: Give us a Desert Without Borders
This episode highlights the human cost of migration through one of the harshest terrains on earth, the Sonoran Desert, while advocating for more humane approaches to immigration and border policies.
July 1, 2025
90 Miles from Needles' Schedule update!
Chris shares a crucial update on the show's release schedule, shifting new episodes to Fridays for better work-life balance. Previously released on Tuesdays, this change allows Chris to reclaim weekends and connect with family while continuing to advocate for desert conservation. Expressing gratitu…
June 24, 2025
S4E20: You Can Help Save Public Lands from Privatization
Explore the evolving debate over a budget rider proposed by Senator Mike Lee that threatens to privatize millions of acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
June 17, 2025
S4E19: Finding Nature's Refuge in Salt Lake Sprawl
Explore urban environmental restoration at the Nature Center at Pia Okwai in South Salt Lake, guided by Parker Lloyd from the Tracy Aviary. Discover how this innovative project offers a sanctuary for native wildlife and a community haven amid industrial sprawl.
June 10, 2025
S4E18: Resilience & Resistance in Navajo Country
Chris Clarke hosts a compelling discussion with Diné activist Davina Smith on the significance of the Bears Ears National Monument.
May 26, 2025
S4E17: The War Against The Greens, Updated
Investigative journalist David Helvarg talks to us about threats to democracy, public lands, and global environmental activism amid escalating misinformation and violence.
May 19, 2025
S4E16: Ezra Klein's New Book Has an Abundance of Problems
Chris Clarke explores Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson's book "Abundance," scrutinizing its stance on environmental regulations.
May 13, 2025
S4E15: The Fight to Save Lives on the U.S.-Mexico Border
Chris interviews Laurie Cantillo, Chair of Humane Borders. They discuss the organization's critical work in saving lives by providing water in the Sonoran Desert, the challenges faced by migrants, and the alarming militarization of the US-Mexico border.
May 6, 2025
S4E14: @WesternWaterGirl Gives Social Media a Reality Check
Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke sits down with Teal Lehto, a passionate water rights activist also known on social media as Western Water Girl. Teal shares insights into her work on public lands protection, the challenges posed by current legi…
April 29, 2025
S4E13: Yuck: The Wild, Weird History of Joshua Trees with Barret Baumgart
In this engaging episode of the "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke is joined by author Barret Baumgart. The conversation centers around Baumgart's book "Yuck," which explores the peculiar and iconic Joshua Tree. From its historical misunderstandings and numero…
April 15, 2025
S4E12: We Need To Talk About "De-Extinction"
Chris explores the controversial claim of dire wolves' de-extinction, the ecological implications, and the potential risks tied to genetic modification. Get insights into recent political maneuvers, the delicate nature of ecosystems, and why reviving the past isn't as simple as it seems.